Elder Wirthlin enjoys road trip with alma mater
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SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The older gentlemen in the red jacket and red tie blended right into the large group of Ute fans sitting on the west side of Qualcomm Stadium for the University of Utah-San Diego State football game Saturday night, Oct. 30.
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve accompanied the Utes to San Diego at the invitation of Utah coach Urban Meyer.
Not only was he in the stands cheering the Utes to a 51-28 victory and present for the pre-game rally outside the stadium, he also flew to San Diego on the team charter Friday afternoon.
A former University of Utah football player and lifelong fan, Elder Wirthlin, along with his wife, Elisa, have formed a close friendship with Coach Meyer and his wife, Shelley. They have shared dinners at each other's homes and the Wirthlins usually sit behind Shelley at Ute home games.
The friendship started last year when Coach Meyer attended general conference soon after being named as the Utes' new coach. Coach Meyer, a native of Ohio, wanted to learn more about the Church.
The two "hit it off instantly," Coach Meyer said.
With a laugh, he said he wanted to talk about the Church and Elder Wirthlin wanted to talk about the Church, and also about football.
"We have become very good friends," Elder Wirthlin said. "I admire him as a coach, but most of all for qualities of character, leadership and example."
Elder Wirthlin was a talented athlete, starring for Salt Lake City's East High football team before taking his talents to the University of Utah. He played for Coach Ike Armstrong and once ran a kickoff back for a touchdown against Colorado in 1936.
"We've enjoyed attending the games over the years," Elder Wirthlin said. "We live close to the university, we graduated from the university and our children attended the university."
Elder Wirthlin has also spoken to the team, attended practices and gone to lunch with Coach Meyer and Ute players.
He had a good time flying on the team charter with the Ute players and coaches, even if the plane didn't get back to Utah until 3 a.m.
He particularly mentioned, "I enjoyed the singing of the Ute Tongan players during the plane ride."
He added about the team, "It's wonderful to get to know these young men who represent the finest of our youth with high ideals and a lot of enthusiasm."
